Word Origin & History

stroke "act of striking," c.1300, probably from O.E. *strac, from P.Gmc. *straikaz (cf. M.L.G. strek, Ger. streich, Goth. striks "stroke"), related to the verb stracian (see stroke (v.)). The meaning "mark of a pen" is from 1567; that of "a striking of a clock" is from 1436. Sense of "feat, achievement" (e.g. stroke of luck, 1853) first found 1672; the meaning "single pull of an oar or single movement of machinery" is from 1731. Meaning "apoplectic seizure" is from 1599 (originally the Stroke of God's Hand). Swimming sense is from 1800.

Example Sentences for stroke

It would be a stroke of luck if I could stumble on one of his hiding places!

If they have to stroke 'em they do it plenty gingerly and you can see 'em shudderin' inside like.

Do, some kind Christian, pump a stroke or two, just to wet my whistle.

He must have thick, flossy hair like Mimi, so that I can stroke him.

You have not done a stroke of work all this morning; quite an unusual thing for you, George.

The whistle sounds, punctually to the stroke of six; we are off.

The toss of the antlers to meet the stroke drew the man up standing.

On Model B a Holmes rotary 7-cylinder motor of 4x4-inch bore and stroke is used.

His motives for this stroke of originality were difficult to discover.